Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy says she is proud of some of the progress being made in the short two months she has been in office. Lacy is particularly proud of the work that is being done with people who have mental health issues. ‘’Making sure that they’re making their appointments and getting the medications they need,’’ said Lacy. ‘’We have folks now who were once in the basement of the jail in a very bad situation who are now living in apartments, getting their medications on a regular basis, and are working. So that has been a really huge success. And I think from a prosecutor’s perspective it’s so important to make sure we’re getting those folks what they need to be successful in the community,’’ added Lacy.
Circuit Judge Mark Goodwin oversees the County’s new mental health court activities. Lacy discussed that program – and other aspects of her office on WDAN Radio’s ‘Newsmakers’ program Wednesday.
The county’s top prosecutor thinks she’s in a unique position with police because she originally went to college with the idea of being one of them. ‘’Although I’ve never put on the uniform – I don’t know what it’s like to be in a high-speed chase,’’ said Lacy. ‘’Those types of things I don’t know what it’s like to be in (those situations). But I am in a position where I’ve got the mind-set. So I know what they’re thinking – how they’re thinking,’’ she added. ‘’And it gives me a different perspective in order to work with them more closely and understanding where they’re coming from.’’
Lacy – at one time took and passed the written exam to be an Aurora, Illinois Police officer before she decided to become an attorney.
And Lacy says her office depends on the police to supply it with vital information. ‘’I’m only as good as the work that they do. The State’s Attorney’s Office is not an investigative office. We do not investigate crime. That is the sole responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office, Danville Police Department, and the other offices within the county. So we do not investigate crime,’’ added Lacy.
The Vermilion County State’s Attorney says most people are unaware of all the activity that goes on in her office. She says staff members are busy handling everything from civil, traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases to providing legal advice to office holders and the county board.
‘’The court system is a whole interesting animal,’’ said Lacy, ‘’and everyone has their role.’’
